Softball
Larry Hays
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- athletics@acu.edu
Larry Hays, who has accomplished nearly everything possible in 49 years of leading college programs, enters his first season as Abilene Christian head softball coach in 2027.
He was hired as the sixth coach in program history on June 23, 2026.
Hays spent 38 seasons as the head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian (1971-86) and Texas Tech (1987-2008), and then another nine as the head softball coach at Lubbock Christian (2010) and Colorado Christian (2019-26). He has amassed a combined coaching record of 1,902-951-8.
As a softball coach Hays has achieved incredible success with a 394-91-4 (.810) record including four seasons with at least 50 wins. Over his eight seasons at NCAA Division II member Colorado Christian, Hays won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championships and led the Cougars to five straight NCAA Regional appearances. His 2026 squad went 55-7 including a 47-game winning streak with just two seniors. During his lone season as Lubbock Christian's softball coach, the Lady Chaparrals went 54-7 and advanced to the 2010 NAIA National Tournament.
Hays first made his coaching mark in college baseball. He spent 16 seasons as the head coach at LCU, leading the Chaps to the 1983 NAIA National Championship and 10 seasons with 40+ wins.
Following the 1986 season, Hays was hired as the head coach at Texas Tech where he spent the next 22 years and ultimately became the program's all-time winningest coach. The Red Raiders had never won a conference title or made an NCAA postseason appearance before Hays' arrival – but they soon began making history as Tech twice won championships in both the Southwest Conference and Big 12 and played in nine NCAA tournaments. Hays became just the fourth college baseball coach in history to reach the 1,500-career win plateau during his final season in 2008. His No. 27 jersey was retired the following year before a game between Texas Tech and LCU.
Hays has won 12 coach of the year awards – nine in baseball, and three in softball. He has been inducted into four different hall of fames: NAIA Hall of Fame (1991), Texas Baseball Hall of Fame (2001), National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2015), and, most recently, the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame (2024).
In addition to baseball and softball at Lubbock Christian, he also coached men's basketball (1969-75 & 1978-80) and women's basketball (1982-83) and served as the athletic director from 1979-87.
Larry and his wife, Nell, have five children and 11 grandchildren.
He was hired as the sixth coach in program history on June 23, 2026.
Hays spent 38 seasons as the head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian (1971-86) and Texas Tech (1987-2008), and then another nine as the head softball coach at Lubbock Christian (2010) and Colorado Christian (2019-26). He has amassed a combined coaching record of 1,902-951-8.
As a softball coach Hays has achieved incredible success with a 394-91-4 (.810) record including four seasons with at least 50 wins. Over his eight seasons at NCAA Division II member Colorado Christian, Hays won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championships and led the Cougars to five straight NCAA Regional appearances. His 2026 squad went 55-7 including a 47-game winning streak with just two seniors. During his lone season as Lubbock Christian's softball coach, the Lady Chaparrals went 54-7 and advanced to the 2010 NAIA National Tournament.
Hays first made his coaching mark in college baseball. He spent 16 seasons as the head coach at LCU, leading the Chaps to the 1983 NAIA National Championship and 10 seasons with 40+ wins.
Following the 1986 season, Hays was hired as the head coach at Texas Tech where he spent the next 22 years and ultimately became the program's all-time winningest coach. The Red Raiders had never won a conference title or made an NCAA postseason appearance before Hays' arrival – but they soon began making history as Tech twice won championships in both the Southwest Conference and Big 12 and played in nine NCAA tournaments. Hays became just the fourth college baseball coach in history to reach the 1,500-career win plateau during his final season in 2008. His No. 27 jersey was retired the following year before a game between Texas Tech and LCU.
Hays has won 12 coach of the year awards – nine in baseball, and three in softball. He has been inducted into four different hall of fames: NAIA Hall of Fame (1991), Texas Baseball Hall of Fame (2001), National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2015), and, most recently, the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame (2024).
In addition to baseball and softball at Lubbock Christian, he also coached men's basketball (1969-75 & 1978-80) and women's basketball (1982-83) and served as the athletic director from 1979-87.
Larry and his wife, Nell, have five children and 11 grandchildren.
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, May 12
Saturday, May 09
